Refrigerating apparatus



Jang

A. J. KERCHER RE'AFRIGgRATING Arranuus original med Feb.' 4, v1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l l (Il. r/

ATTORNEYS Jan, 18,1927. 1,614,676

A. J. KERCHER f REFBQIGERATING' APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 4. 1922 e. MM VM MK, J 1J. A WMM WITNESS d y ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 1'8, 1927.

.UNlTEDpsTATEs v1,614,676 PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J'. IKERGHER, 0F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

Application led February 4, 1922, Serial No. 534,167. Renewed March 2, 1923.

The `invention relates to small self-contained refrigerating units for domestic' and similar use.

An object of the invention is to provide a complete refrigerating apparatus sealed in` vide a refrigerating apparatus in which the driving motor is enclosed in the sealed casing with the refrigerant luid compressor.

A further object 'of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, self-contained refrigerating apparatus of low cost of manufacture and operation.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which,-with the oregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description where I shall outline in full, that form of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accom anying and forming part ofthe present speclfication. In said drawings I have shown one form of refrigeratingapparatus embodying my invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself tosuch form, since the invention` as set forth in said claims, may be embodied in a plurality of forms. y

Referring to said drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the refrigerating apparatus of my invention.

Fig. 2fis a cross section taken on the line 2 2,` Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a closed, sealed casing 4 in which the motorv, the compressor 6 and the vcompressed refrigerant fluid coolingchamber are enclosed. The casing 4 is closed at the top by the top plate 7 which forms a fluid tight joint' with the casing and at the bottom by the bottom plate 8, which forms a similark joint. Mounted on the underside of the top plate 7 by a suitable flange 9, is the stator 12 of the driving motor. The windings 13 ofthe stator are embedded in an annulus 14 of material, such as bake-lite, which will be `unaffected by -the gaseous or liquid refrigerant fluid.

Disposed axially of the casing 4 and tightl y secured to the top platel 7 and the imperforate pan- 15, is a fixed shaft or axle 16 about which the motor rotor 17 and the coms presser rotor revolve. Journalled on the axle 16 is a sleeve 18 to which the motor rotor 17 is secured, and secured to the sleeve at its upper'surface, at the junction of the cylinders, Vwith four bosses 23, into which screws .24, passing through the splash plate 19 extend, for securing thecylinder member to the splash plate.

Disposed in the Vcylinders are pistons 25 which are arranged to be reciprocated by the rotation of the cylinder member. Above the cylinder member, the axle 16 is provided with a'circular eccentric portion 26 which is engaged by the piston operating bars 27 and 28, the bars being provided with elongated openings 29, so that rotation of the cylinder memben'eauses the barsto reciprocate. The bars are arranged at right angles to each other and each lbar is connected at its ends to two diametrically opposed pistons. The bars and lpistons are shown provided with alined apertures through which the pins or bolts 31 extend.

Each cylinder 22 is provided in its base with a narrow elongated vertically disposed port 32 opening` into the cylindrical chamber within the cylinder member. At that portion which is engaged by the cylinder memberl the aXle is cut away lon opposite sides, to form a valve plug33` yfor controlling the llow of refrigerant fluid vto and from the cylinders. The axle 16 is provided with a bore 34 which forms an" inlet conduit for the refrigerant fluid, the bore being connected at its upper end with one side of the expansion coil 35 and .communicating at its lower end with one valve chamber 36. 'Ihe opposite valve chamber 37 is provided withy an outlet conduit 38 opening into the cham'- ber 39 formed in the lower end of the axle. The compressed refrigerant fluid passes from the chamber 39, through the perfo-v rated hooded stand pipe 41 into the cooling chamber 42 formed between the pan 15 and the bottom plate 8. Disposed in the cooling Sil f chamber is cooling coil ettiV through which to the expansion coil through the conduit ed.

The compressor chamber is partially filled with oil 45, which. upon oper-ation of the apparatus, is sutiiciently agitated and splashed to thoroughly lubricate the compressor. The vsplash plate prevents the projection' oil into the motor chamber, except asf'J vapor, and means are provided ror introducing this vapor and any gaseous refrigerant leakage, into the compressor inlet conduit, thus maintaining the pressure Within the casing at substantially intalre pressure. lor this purpose the axle is provided with a conduit r6 extending through the wall thereof and the sleeve 18 is provided with an adiacent aperture 47. Vapor or gas in the motor chamber thus passes intothe compressor Ysuction conduit. 1t is important. in order to maintain high operating etiiciency to exclude all extraneous fluids from lthe refrigerating pipes. In my apparatus because' o the rapid rotaii7 motion `of the cylinder member and pistons, centrifugal force "will maintain the lubricant separateA from the refrigerant huid and thus prevent intermingling of the lubricant with the Huid being discharged.' Oil which may pass through the compressor is trapped in the chamber 39, whence it is Jforced by the pressure existing in the chamber, through a conduit 48 in the axle, to the upper rotor beari ing itl.

ilo prevent damage to thecompressor, due to the entry or liquid into the cylinders or due to the production of an excessive pressure therein, each piston is provided in .its

.head with a spring loaded valve 51, which,-

on being depressed. opens ports 52 in the l Vvalve barrel to relieve the pressure.

Any suitable refrigerant fluid such as sulfur-dioxide, ethyl chloride or methyl chloi'ide may be employed. On account of the fact that no moving or running joints are formed with the casing shell. the danger of leakage of the refrigerant Huid is reduced to a minimum. The sealed casing also prohibits the entrance of moisture into'tlie interior of the casing. so that the refrigerant uid may he maintained anhydrous, a feature which is essential with some refrigerant fluids, which, when combined with water, form reagents that are deleterious to 1the materials oi which the apparatus is constructed. f

l. rcfrigerating apparatus, comprising a closed casing, a partition Wall dividing the casing into a suction chamber and a pressure chamber, a compressor in said casf ing anda driving` motor'therefor disposed in the suction chamber. y

neifaevc 2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a closed casing, 4a stationary hollow axle extending into said casing, a refrigerant uid compressor and a driving motor there for mounted on said axle and sealed Within said casing. a

3. A re rigeiating apparatus comprising a closed casing,' a stationary hollow axle extending into said casing and forming a refrigerant fluid conduit, a refrigerant fluid compressor rotatably mounted on said axle and communicating with said` conduit and a' driving motor in the casing connected to said compressor.

d. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a closed casing, a partition Wall dividing said casing into tivo chambers, a hollow stationary axle extending into one of said chambers and a compressor and motor therevfor mounted on said axle and disposed in said chamber.

5. A rerigerating apparatus comprisiner a closed casing containing a. quantity oli liquid lubricant, a1 stationary axle depending into said casing, a refrigerant iuid compresser rotatably mounted on said axle and adapted, when in rotation, to splash said lubricant, a motor arraneeu in said casing above the compressoranu connected to said compressor and a splash plate interposed between the compressor and the motor.

Y6. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a closed casin a stationary refrigerant fluid inlet con uit extending into said casing, ya compressor in said casing connected to said conduit and a motor for driving the compressor arranged` in said casing, said,y

conduit being provided with a port opening into the chamber enclosed by the casing.

7. A- refrigerating apparatus comprising aclosed casing, a stationary hollow7 axle forming a refrigerant iuid inlet conduit extending into said casing, a refrigerant fluid compressor mounted for rotation on and with respect to said axle, said axle be- .ing formed to provide a valve for control- 9-111. a refrigerating apparatus, a casing, "a top plate on said casing, a motor stator mounted-on said top plate, a stationary axle extendin'g'tlirough said top late, a motor rotor rotatably mounted on said axle, a compressor cylinder block rotatably mounted on said axle, means connecting the cylnde r V block 'and therotor, pistons in vsaid cylinders and means actuated by rotation of the cylinder block for reciprocating said pistons.

10. In a refrigerating system, a refrigerant fluid compressor comprising a stationary member, an external member adapted to rapidly rotate about said stationary member, and means for immersing at least a portion of said movable member in a bath of oil, the rotation of said member serving to both compress fluid and to prevent mixing of oil with the refri erant fluid being discharged.

11. In are rigerating system, a refrigerant fluid compressor comprising a vertical stationary member havinointake and outlet passagewavs for refrigerant fluid, a member rotatably journaled upon said vertical member, reciprocating pistons cooperating with said member and rotatable therewith, a casing enclosing said members, and an oil bath in said casing immersing at least a part of said rotatable member whereby rotation of the same will separate oil from the refrigerant by centrifugal action.

12. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a closed casing, a stationary shaft disposed in said casing, and means surrounding said shaft and rotatable relative thereto for compressing a refrigerant liquid, said shaft having a fluid intake passage in one end thereof and a fluid outlet passage in the other end thereof.

13. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a closed casing, a motor mounted in the casing. a reciprocating pump mounted below said motor, said pump including a stationary shaft secured to the casing and having inlet and outlet passages communicating with the exterior of th'e casing, and a direct drive connection between said motor and pump.

14. In a refrigerating apparatus, a closed casing, a fluid compressor mounted within said casing, said compressor havin inlet and outlet passages communicating with the exterior of the casing, and a port establishing communication between the intake passageway and the interior of the casing whereby the exterior of the pump will not be subjected to a pressure in excess of the intake pressure.

4 15. In a refrigerating apparatus, a closed casing, a. fluid compressor mounted within said casing, said compressor having inlet and outlet passages communicating 'with the exterior of the casing, a pressure operated valve associated with the pump and adapted to permit compressed fluidto escape into the `interior of the casing when the `outlet fluid pressure reaches a given maximum, and a port communicating between the intake and the interior of the casing whereby fluid which may escape from said valve is returned to the pump.

16. A fluid pump comprising a shaft, a relatively rotatable member surrounding said shaft and having opposed cylinders, opposed pistons operatively disposed in said cylinders, a 'rigid bar interconnecting said pistons, and means for reciprocating said bar upon relative rotation between said shaft and member.

17. In a refrigerating apparatus, a casin having a removable head, a pump mounte within said casing,a motor disposed wit-hin the casing and adapted to drive said pump, said motor including a rotor anda stator, and means for securing said stator to said removable head.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR J. KERCHER. 

